Right size return pump?

[NanaReefer]

Setting up a new 40b with a 20gL sump. What's size pump is good?

 

[Bad Company]

Anything that will push 10X of your main tank in a hour is plenty. So look for a pump that will push 400GPH through the height difference and minimize elbows and restrictive fittings. I'd recommend oversizing a bit and using a gate valve to dial in the flow to what you like. Too high of a flow will kick up everything and your water may not be clear unless you filter aggressively. To low, and there will be dead spots in your tank and crap will settle there. Good luck!

 

[SloppyJ]

I'm sure he will be using additional power heads.

 

[Bad Company]

There is an Eheim 1262 for sale in the dry goods section. It is a bit large for your application, but for $80, that and a gate valve would move all the water you would ever need. Be warned that is draws 80W, so when it's running that's like an 80W heater on all the time... But if you have a pretty open setup, and a house that isn't too hot, it might be perfect.

 

[ReeferEric]

I have a tank slightly larger then yours but I'm currently running an Eheim 1262 on it. It's ok for a regular pump but my honest opinion would get one of the Jebao DC pumps (DC6000 or DC9000) and dial it down on the controller and it will use less power. I run a mainly SPS tank so all the flow I can get, the better.

The rule of thumb is no longer a standard in my opinion. Sumps are added for different reasons but for most, its water volume follow by equipment. Only time I would limit flow is for a refugium area, skimmer or micro-bubbles making it back into the display tank.

Also, if you think about it, putting anything to restrict the flow of water only makes the pump work harder to push water. Sometimes they will over amp and work harder that they draw in more power. Best thing is to tee it off to feed something and adjust it via valve to lower the water returning to the main tank.

 

[mfinn]

Setting up a new 40b with a 20gL sump. What's size pump is good?

I believe in buying a pump that will give you your target flow instead of buying a oversized pump and having to dial it back with a valve.
Just doesn't make sense to me.

IMO , I'd go for 4x to 5 x the tank volume and accounting for some head loss, I'd look for a pump in the 350 gph range.

 

[Reefing Madness]

I agree with mfinn, theres no point in going overboard on a pump only to have to dial it down. If you have 600gph as an overflow, then you want 580gph returned from the sump after head loss. Pump would be your choice. But thats what I'd be looking for.

 

[NanaReefer]

Well the guy who's doing the work suggested the Taam Rio+ 1400. What do you guys think? I'm looking at about 290-243ghp figuring in head loss.

I've been reefing for 5yrs and have never ran a sump. Very new for me :) I'm not even sure how to do a water change-lol!!

http://www.marinedepot.com/Taam_Rio...ds-TAAM_Via_Aqua-TA3111-FIPHFF-TA3144-vi.html

 

[prdubois]

Get the Jebo 6000 and you can set it for the flow you want

 

[Reefing Madness]

Thats a good number for a sump with head loss in a 40, that'll do ya.

 

[NanaReefer]

Thats a good number for a sump with head loss in a 40, that'll do ya.

Thank You! I'm pretty stoked :) Tanks getting drilled & plumbed today. Sump is finished too.

 

[mfinn]

Yeah the numbers on the rio are pretty good but I am not a rio fan.

 

[mfinn]

I would look for something else, but along those lines.

 

[NanaReefer]

Rio has made some changes to their pumps. I've been running one on my HOB fuge non-stop for 3yrs now. Very quiet and dependable. So here's hoping this one does as well :)

 

[mfinn]

Rio has made some changes to their pumps. I've been running one on my HOB fuge non-stop for 3yrs now. Very quiet and dependable. So here's hoping this one does as well :)

I hope it does too.
I bought a 3100 to use just for mixing saltwater in 44 gallon barrels and it was annoyingly noisy.

 

[NanaReefer]

I've read the reviews at Marine Depot and it seem's the larger the pump the noisier it was.
Now I really hope this isn't the case as I'll be trying to sleep not 5' from the tank-lol.

 

[gobeach]

Rio has made some changes to their pumps. I've been running one on my HOB fuge non-stop for 3yrs now. Very quiet and dependable. So here's hoping this one does as well :)

I had trouble (over time) with my Rios. They worked like a champ for my return pump but eventually I'd have trouble with them clattering instead of starting back up normally after I had my return pump off during routine cleanings and water changes. Once I'd get them started right, it'd work great but at some point I wouldn't be able to get beyond the clattering. If you get the Rio for a return pump I'd strongly recommend making sure you have a backup -- but it's always good to have a backup.

 

[NanaReefer]

Definitely a good idea on the back up. Thanks for that! :)